RADIO
Hi, it's been awhile! As the NBA editor here at RotoBaller, I mostly stick to organizing things and sprinkling in some season-long coverage, plus doing our WNBA DFS pieces, but today I'm here to break down an NBA slate!
And what a slate it is! Sure, some of the games aren't great, but it's all topped off by Celtics/Raptors!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/7/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineup lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
De'Aaron Fox - PG, SAC vs BKN ($7,600)
Fox has struggled with his shooting in the bubble, connecting on just 21.1 percent of his threes, but his game inside the arc has worked, and she's shooting 50.5 percent overall through four games, plus adding seven assists. Brooklyn has allowed opponents to score at least 110 points in each bubble game, so expect some fireworks in this one. I have slight "blow out and Fox doesn't play late" concerns, but the Kings probably aren't good enough for that to be a serious issue.
Caris Levert - SG, BKN vs SAC ($7,100)
Brooklyn is super depleted. That's meant that LeVert -- who has played in three of four bubble games -- has to take on more responsibility. So far, he's shooting 42.9 percent on 18.7 attempts per game, averaging 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. LeVert has to do a lot for this team to be competitive. Take the upside here.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG/SG, OKC vs MEM ($6,800)
SGA is averaging 18.7 points, 4.7 boards, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals in the bubble. The Grizzlies are 10th in the NBA in turnovers this year and have the 10th-worst scoring defense. I like this matchup for Oklahoma City -- you'll notice this isn't the only Thunder pick in this article -- and think Gilgeous-Alexander's upside is worth the risk that he struggles from the floor, like his 3-for-11 game last time out.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Danilo Gallinari - PF/SF, OKC vs MEM ($5,600)
Here's another Thunder player! Gallinari is averaging 18 points and five rebounds in the bubble, shooting 37 percent from three and 40.7 percent overall. On the year, Memphis allowed opponents to shoot 36.6 percent from three, the eighth-highest mark of any team. This game should work out well for the Thunder shooters, which plays into Gallinari's hands.
Troy Brown Jr. - SF, WAS vs NOP ($5,500)
The second-year guard has had to take on a larger role since the league moved down to Florida. He's taken at least 11 shots in each game; since February started, he'd only done that once as his role had faded as the year went on. While his efficiency isn't great right now, his averages of 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists make for a well-rounded stat line.
Brandon Clarke- PF, MEM vs OKC ($4,900)
The rookie has come back from this extended absence (more extended for him, as he missed Memphis's last eight games before the shutdown) with a bigger role, and while he's 0-for-5 from three since things started back up, he's getting consistent playing time and so far has put up averages of 11.3 points, 5.8 boards, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Clarke's not going to win your DFS game for you, but he's a well-priced option who's had a high floor in Orlando and should be able to help you build a good DFS floor for your squad. Not having to contend for minutes with Jaren Jackson Jr. will help Clarke's production as well.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C, MEM vs OKC ($7,300)
For the centers, let's start with Clarke's frontcourt teammate in Memphis, Jonas Valanciunas. One of the most reliable guys at the position year in and year out, Valanciunas has had some uneven usage in the bubble, but last game against Utah, he played 34 minutes, scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 boards. He has double-digit rebounds in 11 of his last 12 games, averaging 14.3 per game over that span. And with Jaren Jackson Jr. out, Valanciunas has an even more firm grasp on his role.
Derrick Favors - C, NOP vs WAS ($5,200)
Finally, let's talk about Derrick Favors. The scoring isn't there with Favors like it is with someone like Valanciunas, and the DFS floor is pretty low, but his ceiling is double-digit boards and 10 points or so. Not great, but Washington does allow the sixth-most rebounds and 11th-most blocks per game this season, so the matchup is a solid one for Favors. Again, he's a lot like Brandon Clarke in that his production won't be the thing that wins you some cash today, but he can put up solid numbers that will help your overall line out.
Good luck to everyone in their NBA DraftKings contests!
